A new "vaudeville/operetta/burlesque extravaganza" and a cosmic comedy will get their world premieres in 2008-09 courtesy of 1812 Productions, the comedy-focused Philadelphia company.

Cherry Bomb: The Worst Act in Vaudeville for the Holidays recounts the peculiar show business career of The Cherry Sisters, five siblings who preached sobriety and morality while singing off-key to packed houses — and dodging tomatoes during curtain calls. Their status as the most untalented performers in vaudeville defied reason; their memorable presentation of a living tableau of the crucifixion on stage cemented their notoriety in the late 1800s.

With music by James Sugg and book and lyrics by 1812 artistic director Jennifer Childs, Cherry Bomb will run from Dec. 11, 2008-Jan. 4, 2009 at the Plays and Players Theatre.

The world premiere comedy The Karma Cookie, by P. Seth Bauer, follows two brothers on a wild journey guided only by the fortunes doled out from their cookies. Billed as "a fast-paced, hilarious ride through Chinese restaurants, Nazi aerobics classes, meditation rituals with Buddhist monks while eating ice cream, and trips of a lifetime on trains the size of Matchbox cars, the brothers must learn as they go lest they never find the secret behind their amazing journey."

The Karma Cookie will play the Adrienne Theatre March 5-29, 2009. Pete Pryor will direct. Back for its third and final season, the political news satire This Is The Week That Is returns with The Election Special!. Performed by Tony Braithwaite, Dave Jadico, Don Montrey, Jennifer Childs, Steven Wright, and Tony Lawton, This Is The Week That Is takes a look at the history surrounding the nation's highest office while giving a blow-by-blow countdown of the final days leading up to the election. Featuring a script that changes nightly, the show will run from Oct. 9-Nov. 2, 2008 at the Plays and Players Theatre.

1812's 2008-09 season will wrap up with the snarky and salacious cabaret Let's Pretend We're Married. Matrimonial bliss (sort of) will be explored through songs ranging from Irving Berlin to Prince, as well as comedy classics from Burns and Allen and The Bickersons.

Performed by Tony Braithwaite and Jennifer Childs, Let's Pretend We're Married will run at a location to be announced May 26-June 14, 2009.

1812 Productions was founded in 1997 and has since established itself as Philadelphia's all-comedy theatre company. It maintains a four-show season and operates an educational outreach program that provides free tickets and workshops to Philadelphia-area schools.

The Plays and Players Theatre is located at 1714 Delancey Place. The Adrienne Theatre is located at 2030 Sansom Street. For tickets to all productions call (215) 592-9560 or visit www.1812productions.org.